How I Got Involved in Research During My Freshman Year (And Maybe Why You Shouldn’t)

By: Badruddin Mahamed ‘25

While often associated with pre-health or pre-graduate tracks, undergraduate research can be a vital asset to any undergraduate’s time at USC. Throughout my freshman year, many of my professors from both the science and the humanities have encouraged undergraduates to explore research as a means to better understand the process through which the information we learn in class is produced. Apart from the intellectual benefits, however, research is often a hallmark activity for students interested in pursuing the premedical track at USC, such as myself. Undergraduate research provides premedical students the opportunity to showcase intellectual curiosity in their medical school applications as well put into practice the scientific method. While it is often assumed that basic science courses need to be completed before applying to be an undergraduate research assistant, this is definitely not the case. Undergraduates can get involved in research as early as their first semester at USC, however, this decision may come with quite a bit of risk.

I knew I wanted to pursue the premedical track as early as the beginning of my college application process back in high school. Upon receiving my acceptance from USC, I spent the majority of my summer scouring the internet to learn all I could about being successful as a premed. Research, of course, was a common thread that flowed through all the resources I found online. Luckily, I had an upperclassmen friend at USC pursuing the pre-graduate track who helped me through the cold-emailing process to find a PI (Principal Investigator, which is just a fancy name for the professor who leads the lab). Nine emails, nine follow-up emails, five ghostings, and three please-try-again-in-the-spring’s later, I received one interview. I was ecstatic and extremely nervous because if this lab didn’t work out I had no other options. Thankfully, it did.

Fast-forward three months later, I had been working through some training modules my PI had assigned to me. My lab researches the neurobiology of tasting using rodent models so I was learning a lot about working with animals. All set to begin working in the lab during my first semester of college, I was ready to begin my first day of classes at USC. That’s when everything went downhill. My first week of classes was a disaster with me getting into a car accident, finding a housing assignment and moving in on the second day of classes, and balancing my 16 unit course load all at the same time. As the semester progressed, things only got worse. I was also enrolled in an EMT course at UCLA (yeah I know, I was a very overzealous freshman) which was a very large time commitment in addition to my 16 units at USC. My grades and mental health continued to deteriorate as the semester progressed and ended up failing out of the EMT course. I eventually went radio silent from all of my extracurriculars. I never once set foot in the lab my entire first semester.

I received an email from my PI on November 8 with the subject line “lab update.” This was the first communication from my PI in over 5 months since I accepted the undergraduate research position. My heart sank as saw the unread email in my inbox and my mind scrambled through all of the possibilities awaiting me in that email. Is my PI mad at me? Am I getting kicked out of the lab? Will I ever get another research position? I dared to click on the email and saw two sentences: “Just checking in to see if you're still interested in working in the lab, since we haven't heard from you in a while. We have lots of projects to get involved in.” I let out a sigh of relief that lasted precisely one second before I immediately clicked the reply button.

After apologizing for my lack of communication and apprising my PI of my situation, I was able to push my lab involvement to the spring semester. This semester I am an undergraduate research assistant in Schier Lab and I am having the time of my life. Having developed the time management strategies and set my priorities during the fall semester, I entered the spring semester much better organized and equipped to handle a full course load along with working in a lab.

So, can you do research as a first-semester freshman at USC?

Yes.

But should you?

Well, maybe.

The most important reason for getting involved in research as early as possible is because many PIs prefer to have young students who will be able to stay in the lab for long as possible. While applying as a first-semester freshman, you may feel as though you are not qualified to work in a research lab. However, it is important to understand that PIs would much rather have an underqualified freshman stay in their lab for four years than a qualified senior who will be in their lab for one year. Applying to a lab as a first-semester freshman who understands their limitations but is open to learning can often be the applicant PIs are most willing to accept.

It is also important to understand that research is a commitment. While my PI was kind enough to push my involvement to the spring semester, not all PIs may as understanding. PIs often have a limited number of spots for undergraduate research assistants and taking on a position and not following through may very well result in losing your spot in the lab. Research during your freshman year can be an amazing experience when planned out well. 

I do recommend my incoming freshman friends to get involved in research during their first semester, with the stipulation that they take a very conservative viewpoint of their time during their first semester as a freshman. Regardless of the competitiveness or rigor of your high school, the transition from high school to college is intense. From understanding attendance is a personal choice to the complex scholarly readings, your courses should be your only priority during your first semester. Under this structure, research is completely doable and can even be an exciting experience that will give you an appreciation for the knowledge taught during classes.

Lastly, it is absolutely okay to apply for research later in your undergraduate career. There is no right or wrong time as it is very much dependent on your journey and goals. While competitiveness and availability may become increasingly constraining factors as you progress throughout your undergraduate years, it is important to take into account your other time commitments and decide for yourself when you feel that you are able to take on research. If this happens to be your freshman year for you, I wish you the best of luck and happy cold-emailing!

Want more from Trojans 360?

Visit Trojans 360 on Facebook & Twitter to stay up to date with more student content! You can also Ask A Trojan an anonymous question, and we’ll try to answer it in a future post. And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram!

Trojans 360 is USC’s official student-run blog. Content created by students, for students.